Following the success of the AHEC 18th SEA & GRCH Convention in 2013 in Harbin, it is my pleasure to announce that the AHEC 19th SEA & GRCH Convention is scheduled for June 25-26, 2014 at The St. Regis Tianjin. I cordially invite you to attend the Convention.

Tianjin, just 30 minutes by high speed rail link from Beijing, is a major center of hardwood trading, processing and distribution. Despite the recent global economic slowdown, China's economy is still in an upward phase. According to a report at the Boao Forum for Asia in 2014, its economy could maintain a growth rate between 7 to 8 percent in the next five years. In the next five years domestic consumption would be playing a very important role to strengthen China's economic recovery which would compensate the weak overseas export markets. Exports of US hardwood products to Greater China and Southeast Asia valued at US$1.13 billion and US$0.285 billion respectively in 2013.

This year, the Convention will provide a platform for the US hardwood industry to promote US hardwood applications further to furniture, door and flooring and joinery manufacturing and design. AHEC will feature seven keynote presentations addressing all aspects of sourcing and utilizing US hardwoods in a responsible and sustainable manner.

AHEC is grateful for the strong support from the trade and design industries, associations and communities across China and SEA. AHEC is also grateful for the continuous support from the media from USA, China and Southeast Asia.

I would like to thank USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and ATO Office of US Embassy in Beijing, US hardwood industry and AHEC members for their supports. The Convention is expected to attract over 300 delegates and over 30 AHEC hardwood export companies or their representatives from China will travel to Tianjin to meet with the local timber traders and users.

Last but not least I would like to thank all the audiences and participants from the design and manufacturing industries to attend the Convention and I wish you all have the fruitful Convention and make new business partnership.